Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

42 players are at MLB Spring Training 

31 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE at MLB Spring Training, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 
11 players are MLB Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 17
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

NRI PITCHERS: 5 
Colten Brewer 
Carl Edwards Jr 
* Edwin Escobar 
* Richard Lovelady 
* Thomas Pannone 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
Jorge Alfaro 
Joe Hudson 

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 1 
* David Peralta

OPTIONED:
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, RHP 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, RHP 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

 



Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs Pull Off Washington Miracle

Box Score | Highlights

The Cubs overcome an 8-run deficit to avoid the four game sweep and pull out an exciting win over the Washington Nationals on Thursday. It was just like that 9-run miracle comeback versus the Houston Astros in 1989, except completely meaningless.

Comments

Didn't they have an 8 or 9-run comeback versus Colorado a few years back where DeRosa put them ahead with a dinger? It's kind of remarkable that Garza gives up 1 run in his last start and doesn't get the win and then gives up 7 in this one and doesn't get the loss. Kind of sums up the 2011 Cubs, sad to say... Here's a clip that is very appropriate... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuWQfMGjZF4

quade looks like yul brynner on the receiving end of a cold-water enema...what a ballclub; even their occasional wins are slapstick...

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Well, if you wanted a GM who is dumb enough to trade a streaky hitter while he's on a cold streak, I have just the guy for you.
Are you talking about Soriano and Jim Hendry trading Soriano while he is in a cold streak? Okay, I'll poke a stick in the TRN cage... what part of "bad money" do you not understand? If you have a chance to trade Soriano, you try to get it done. It doesn't make him dumb, it makes him... I don't know... something other than 'dumb'. It all depends on how much of the contract you have to eat and how much you think Soriano will be WORTH the next few years.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

If you are trying to maximize value for the Cubs in a Soriano trade (better picks, eating less money, etc.), it would make sense to me to trade him when he is playing well, like a supply and demand situation. Of course, if the Yankees are the only interested team, there really isn't much demand. Still, if the ultimate goal is to dump him, you might as well get as much in return as you can, as little as that might be... Please take this capable player off our hands for what his market value today SHOULD be and we'll gladly eat the rest! YUM YUM YUM!!!

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

According to Baseball Dictionary, five tools are: hitting for average, hitting for power, baserunning (skills/speed), throwing ability, fielding. Which of these will be retained over the remainder of Sori's contract? Which of these are poor now? Which of these are in obvious decline? My point still is that if you can move him and eat some money, or trade him for anything with potential, you do it. All of the "good" teams would.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I don't think Soriano is so bad that he cannot be on a championship team
I don't think so either. But it doesn't matter if he's in a hot streak or cold streak, every GM in baseball knows what Soriano is all about. Anyways, it's not worth arguing over because it just isn't going to happen. The amount of money the Yanks would want the Cubs to pay is more than the Cubs would want to pay. The math just isn't there. How much to do you think Soriano is worth per year? $6-7 million tops? Let's say $8 mil, that leaves $10 million the Cubs would be on the hook for to watch Soriano play for another team... for three years. If you were running the Cubs, would you do that? You could get some prospects but they are worth virtually nothing.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

teams aren't making trades that involve the money Soriano is owed based on a month long or week long or hot or cold slump. We'll have to agree to disagree. There's a big difference between a 20 HR hitter and a 30 HR hitter, and a GM could think Soriano is either one, depending on how he is going. There are other stupid GM's out there (Vernon Wells and Alex Rios, anyone?). Cashman probably isn't one of them.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Soriano hasn't hit 30 HR's since 2007 and I don't think at age 35, a team is going to think he'll suddenly be healthy enough to accomplish it. Wells was younger than Soriano when moved, and while not a very good defensive cf'er, moving him to a corner could increase his defensive value. And his peripherals have always been decent and he does stay healthy, and at least he had a solid full season last year. Rios was just a mistake by Ken Williams. never say never and all, but the Cubs would have to eat at least half of Soriano's contract to ever move him and get almost no players in return or take on another bad contract. Hopefully they'll just bite the bullet at some point and release him, although with them sucking and no real outfielder ready to take his spot, there's no point to it at the moment.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I'm sure they think he's as capable as Russell Branyan of hitting 30 HR's. But when it's a 3 and a half year committment, they're not gonna suddenly think it's a good idea to trade for him because he's in the middle of a hot streak. if he had a half year left on his deal, maybe a team would take a chance at catching lightning in a bottle. on an unrelated sidenote just cause I just looked it up; vs RHP this year: 696 OPS vs LHP: 1.032 OPS (late career Sosa splits there) OPS by month April: .891 May: 747 June: 797 July: 414

Anyone heard what is going with Angel Guzman? Not that he is the missing piece or anything, but he has been down in Daytona for four games over the past two weeks. What is the plan with him? Anyone know?

[ ]

In reply to by Jace

Submitted by Jace on Fri, 07/08/2011 - 10:25am. Anyone heard what is going with Angel Guzman? Not that he is the missing piece or anything, but he has been down in Daytona for four games over the past two weeks. What is the plan with him? Anyone know? ===================================== JACE: At this point in his rehab Angel Guzman starts a game and throws two innings (about 30 pitches) every 4th or 5th day, meaning he doesn't throw enough pitches to be a starting pitcher (he starts and goes two innings and then is releved) but he can't pitch often enough to be used as a reliever. Once he gets free of his restrictive rehab routine, he should be able to work as a reliever, and barring a medical setback, I would expect Gooz to get brought up to Chicago in September. The last time I saw Guzman throw down here, he was throwing a 93 MPH fastball, a change, and a curve. His breaking ball and off-speed stuff looked fine, but he was having difficulty throwing his fastball for strikes. And he was only throwing "live" every 5th day at that time.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2011/… Brett Jackson is #3 on the hot sheet here isn't a 70 grade anywhere on Jackson's scouting report, but he does so many things well and does it at a premium position that he has become one of the best prospects in the game. Even when Jackson is at his best, he'll do his share of swinging and missing, but he works deep counts and get on base at a high clip. He doesn't have plus power, but he should hit 15-20 home runs a year, which combined with his on-base potential and solid defensive abilities should have him banging down the door in Chicago by next season. Hayden Simpson shows up on the Not-So-Hot-Sheet Simpson has not come close to showing the 94-97 mph velocity he showed the Cubs last year, and his fastball has failed to bump 90 in some starts.

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In reply to by Dusty Baylor

Did i say you attacked me? I just questioned Jackson's ability to be anything more than a mediocre version of Felix Pie. A jack of all trades but a master of none. Nothing insulting or controversial. I don't like Josh Vitters as a prospect either but i do like Jackson more than him. At least Jackson can take a walk. Jackson is rated as our minors best power prospect which is just so damn sad, its not even funny. Its a testament to how weak our system is and has been. As soon as Dan Vogelbach steps onto the field Brett Jackson will relinquish his title as the Cubs best power prospect. And while Vogelbach isn't the image of a fit athletic player, its about damn time we picked someone with a huge power potentional instead of the jack of all trades guys like Brett Jackson who almost never pan out.

meh Andrew Friedman has left some of his friends with the clear impression that he would love to be the next GM of the Astros.

Was Castro still the youngest player in the league? I thought he was to start the year... anyway, Mike Trout called up by Angels, so he definitely isn't any longer.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Let me state some facts... these are facts and not clouded by judgement of this team: * 36-53 (.404) Record * Swept by the Astros * Among the worst defense in the major leagues Not only is it extremely unlikely, but it would make me extremely sad to see this team make the playoffs. It would mean very crappy teams could make the playoffs and I don't think any of us want to believe that is possible.

Fukudome RF, Castro SS, Ramirez 3B, Peña 1B, Soto C, Byrd CF, Soriano LF, Barney 2B, Lopez P McDonald goes for the Pie-rats

The Cubs are not trading any of their so called stars unless they throw them under the bus first. It's Cubs tradition to completely undercut a players trade value by leaking stories to the Tribune.

via rotowurld...via the trib "Carlos Zambrano (back) allowed one unearned run over four innings Friday in a minor league rehab start with Low-A Peoria."

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In reply to by navigator

Well, the manager can replace his own picks or fan picks (in consultation with the commissioner's office), but Jones was a player's pick, so his spot goes to the next player on the player's list. Not sure who that is. Would image it's Ramirez, but who knows. But Polanco might bow out too due to this back, which would open up another 3B slot. And Tulowitzki is uncertain as well. Right now the IF is Weeks and Phillips at 2B, Tulowitzki, Castro, and Furcal at SS, and Polanco and Jone's replacement at 3B.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

I always loved Guyer...he seems like Reed Johnson but with more power and more speed. Then he hit .340 or so last year, when he finally stayed healthy, and I hoped he could become a top prospect for the Cubs. Because I had rooted for him for so long, I was more upset that he was included in the Garza trade than most people. Although I did recognize that (for once) Hendry may have traded someone at the peak of their value, I continued to hope that perhaps Guyer just finally put it together, which now appears to be the case. He is still one of my favorite prospects and I hope he does well in Tampa. Just a shame that in a lost season such as this, we are bringing up players like Campana and other more marginal prospects while having traded someone like Guyer away.

From Bruce Miles Blog: Szczur headed to Daytona Got some roster moves from Nathan Baliva of the Peoria Chiefs: OF Matt Szczur to Advanced-A Daytona (After Futures Game), not with Chiefs this weekend. At Peoria, Szczur was at .314/.366/.431 with 15 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 27 RBI, 21 walks and 28 strikeouts. RHP Su-Min Jung to Short-Season Boise LHP Brent Ebinger to Double-A Tennessee LHP Graham Hicks placed on DL RHP Robinson Lopez activated from DL 1B Ben Klafczynski added from Boise Posted by Bruce on Sat, 07/09/2011 - 12:29

Dempster/Q-Ball honeymoon seemed to end, jawing after 5th inning when Q-Ball told him he was done. Guess Dempster forgot about all those times he was left in too long and blew it this year. postgame comments all seem calm...

Jeff Gray showed up on my TV pitching for Mariners, seems to be doing well or at least lucky this year between Mariners and White Sox. 2.84 ERA in 19 IP, 5 BB, 9 K

which happens less frequently---cubs beating pirates or whitesox beating twins? when it happens on the same day, is this one of the seven signs preceding armageddon?

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In reply to by crunch

I've never understood why the Futures game is played on the Sunday afternoon before the break while all the major league games are going on. Gigantic missed opportunity. The HR Derby should be on Monday night, the All Star Game on Tuesday night, and the Futures game should be on Wednesday night. Moving it to Wednesday would give the prospects more exposure, create higher TV ratings, and give fans something to actually watch on that Wednesday when there is nothing going on in the majors.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    SF snags b.snell...2/62m

  • Cubster (view)

    AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24). 

    However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024: 

    * bats or throws left 

    Angel Cepeda, INF 
    * Miguel Cruz, P
    Yidel Diaz, C 
    * Albert Gutierrez, 1B
    Fraiman Marte, P  
    Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B) 
    Derniche Valdez, INF 
    Edward Vargas, OF 
    Jeral Vizcaino, P 

    And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.

    Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect. 

    F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season. 

    The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically. 

    Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).

    Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day. 

    Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will. 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.

    The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required. 

    They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).

    If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.

    If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Phil, 
    Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
    If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!  

    And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).